A reader has asked for clarification regarding the use of the verbs condole and console. In searching for illustrations of current usage, I find that confusion between the words is more common in the writing of non-native English speakers, although native speakers do err with this pair. Both verbs refer to expressions of sympathy and … Read more
A reader asks, Lately, I hear announcers introducing acts by saying GIVE IT UP FOR, rather than LET’S HAVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR. Is this a new expression? The verb give/gave/given has been in the English vocabulary for more than a thousand years. The earliest OED citation is from Beowulf: Beowulf 1719 Nallas beagas … Read more
A reader questions the use of the phrase “these ones”: I was wondering about a manner of speech I have been hearing or reading and that seems not right to my ears: it is “these ones” as in the following: “If You Liked This Video, You’ll LOVE These Ones…” Isn’t the phrase complete with just … Read more
If you want to write clear, correct English, you certainly need to pay attention to the grammar rules. To help you with that, we collaborated with the folks from Grammarly and Write To Done to create a list with 30 common grammar mistakes you should avoid. Enjoy! Mistake 1: Using whom as a subject INCORRECT: … Read more
A reader asks, Can you please tell me when to use “precursor to” and “precursor of”? Is there a difference between the two? Latin praecursor (“forerunner, advanced guard”) is from a verb meaning “to run in front of.” Latin cursor means, “to run.” The noun precursor entered English about 1500, chiefly in reference to John … Read more
The family name Derrick derives from the personal name commonly spelled Derek, which is a shortening of the Germanic name Theodoric, “ruler of the people.” Theodoric the Great (454-526), king of the Ostrogoths and eventual de facto ruler of Italy, probably inspired a great many European namesakes. Numerous versions of the name exist, including Darrick, … Read more
Admittedly, my sensitivity to diction is probably a few degrees more intense than that of the average newspaper reader, but sometimes I have trouble reading the paper with complete understanding. This failing, I believe, may meet the etymological meaning of the term dyslexia: dys, “bad, difficult” + lexis, “word.” The other morning I turned with … Read more
A reader has asked for a discussion of the words affect and afflict: Please discuss the two words and tell me the difference and under which situations/circumstances they should be used. Affect has a more general application than afflict. Affect transitive verb: influence, act on, have an effect on (materially or emotionally). For example: The … Read more
A reader brought alterior to my attention by asking if a use of “ulterior motive” he read in an article should have been “alterior motive.” Although I found several speculative “definitions” of alterior on various sites, neither the OED nor Merriam-Webster offers an entry for this word. Because it seems always to occur with motive … Read more
My cumulative list of “words commonly confused” continues with ten that begin with the letter M. The confusion relates to spelling or meaning. 1. manner / manor Manner is a way of doing or behaving. Ex. “The waiter has a pleasant and helpful manner.” A manor is a house on an estate. Ex. “Cardinal Thomas … Read more
A reader asks if there is any difference between addiction and dependency. The Chicago Manual of Style offers this straightforward distinction: One is physically addicted to something but psychologically dependent on something. I like the simplicity of this explanation, but a casual Web tour reveals a difference of opinion when the context is drug use. … Read more